Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Saturday, December 14, 2024 76° Today's Paper


Top News

Teens kidnapped after high school prom fight off attacker

VICTORVILLE, Calif. >>Two California teens kidnapped following their high school prom managed to escape after one of them wrested a gun away from their attacker and then pistol-whipped him, authorities said.

Jared James was arrested Saturday when he went to a hospital for treatment of injuries he sustained in the fight with one of his victims, sheriff’s officials in San Bernardino County said. Investigators said the 22-year-old James, a Nevada resident, knows the girl, but didn’t specify what their relationship is.

James is accused of forcing a 17-year-old boy and the teen’s girlfriend into their car at a parking lot in Victorville and driving them to an isolated area. The boy fought with James in the car, managed to pry the gun away and then repeatedly hit his attacker with it before escaping. The gun fired twice, but nobody was struck by the bullets, according to a sheriff’s news release.

During the struggle, the girl ran away to find help. A truck driver drove the teens to a hospital.

The suspect, James, drove to a family member’s home who drove him to another hospital, where he was arrested.

Deputies went to the scene and recovered the handgun and the teens’ car.

James could face kidnapping and attempted murder charges. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Sheriff’s officials didn’t say whether James has a lawyer. A number for James in his hometown of Las Vegas could not be found.

13 responses to “Teens kidnapped after high school prom fight off attacker”

  1. Dawg says:

    SLAMMER forever for the perp!

  2. peanutgallery says:

    They should have let him use the girls bathroom, because he was feeling feminine. All will be forgiven. He’ll get a little counseling, do some community service by picketing Donald Trump events, and all will be right with the world.

  3. wrightj says:

    Not too many stories end up like this one.

  4. kuewa says:

    I suppose some will argue that it’s a good thing that the attacker had a gun since the victim could use it to defend himself and his gf, although a billy club would have been just as effective. Or perhaps one could argue that it’s too bad that the victims didn’t have their own guns at the ready to defend themselves (assuming of course that they legally own guns, which is unlikely given their ages). But, I would argue that this is another example of how there too many guns, including those in the hands of the wrong people.

    • DeltaDag says:

      How about we all argue that it would be wise to wait and learn more details, such as whether Jared James legally obtained the gun in the first place?

      And by the way, kuewa, you do realize, don’t you, that possession of club-type impact devices by the public (even with no criminal intent) can be illegal depending on the jurisdiction? California comes to mind immediately. As for foreign countries, in the United Kingdom clubs and batons have been regarded as offensive weapons for over a decade.

      • BlueEyedWhiteDevil says:

        That was a pretty ballsy thing the guy did going up against a gun. Never the less I cant see granting guns to 17 year olds on a date. Often a wily criminal can snatch them away, and use them.
        Dag, I’ll bet you whats left of my stocks that J Trevon, James had an illegal gun.
        As for England, they’re electing a Muslim for the mayor of Londonastan over a Jew. Figures, more emigration to Israel.

        • DeltaDag says:

          Yes, it was a brave thing the 17-year-old boy did. Truly, if someone feels his life and the life of his friend are in dire jeopardy, then a desperate all-or-nothing act is the reasonable thing to do. Better to go down fighting than meekly cooperate, led to a secluded area, and then murdered.

  5. WizardOfMoa says:

    Not many would have been brave enough to fight off an attacker as this boy did! Kudos to him for his bravery!

Leave a Reply